Real changes in Madrid

Real Madrid vice-president Emilio Butragueno has issued a rallying call to the supporters who jeered his side during December.

The dismissal of coach Wanderley Luxemburgo - closely followed by the resignation of director of football Arrigo Sacchi - was consistent with the managerial merry-go-round which has plagued the club over the past few years, but it is the performances in the Primera Liga which have provoked anger among the Bernabeu faithful.

During December, Madrid suffered a humiliating defeat against rivals Barcelona, struggled to beat Getafe, and were held to a draw by 10-man Osasuna.

This week they slumped to a 2-1 defeat to Racing Santander to end the year on a sour note.

The fans made their feelings known at full-time, but Butragueno is hoping the fans stand by their side.

"We have to remain calm because this will not be easy for anyone and nobody expected these last two results at home," he said.

"When you are on a negative run everything goes against you. Perhaps we were a bit rushed with the ball and that came out of anxiety but the only way we are going to move on from here is by being united."

The defeat knocked Madrid down to fifth place, eleven points behind Barcelona, and although there are already changes being made in an attempt to address the situation.

The club have gone a small way to providing stability by confirming temporary coach Juan Ramon Lopez Caro will stay on until the end of the season even if his start has been less than inspiring.

On Friday Brazilian right-back Cicinho was signed from Sao Paulo on the same day as Benito Floro was introduced as the new director of football.

Floro arrives to replace Sacchi who left earlier this month.

This week, the Italian gave a revealing insight to life behind-the-scenes at Madrid and says he left because his role did not have the freedom he had envisaged.

"The work wasn't really to my liking, I don't like to earn money for work I could only do in part," he said.

"In Italy they have called me a coward and they have also said I was not well, stressed, tired and old. None of this is true."

"I told the president I wanted to leave in June but he convinced me to stay. I confirmed I wanted to leave again in October, and only yesterday they asked me to stay again."

"On a professional, personal and financial level I am losing a lot, but I miss my family, my home and my country."

Cicinho may not the the only new face at the Bernabeu this Christmas with Italian forward Antonio Cassano widely tipped to move from Roma.